This makes sense now! So just to be 100% clear - I should just use the W-2 exactly as is and not try to separate out what I contributed vs what my employer contributed when filing, right? And if I'm using tax software, should I just enter the W-2 information exactly as it appears on the form?

Yes, that's exactly right! You should use the W-2 exactly as is and not try to separate your contributions from your employer's when filing. The tax software is designed to handle this correctly when you enter your W-2 information as it appears on the form. Your pre-tax contributions have already reduced your taxable wages in Box 1, which is the primary tax benefit. Box 12c simply reports the total qualified retirement plan contributions for informational purposes and to ensure compliance with annual contribution limits. Trying to separate them out would incorrectly give you a double tax benefit.

Totally agree! The tax code and forms seem deliberately confusing. I've been doing my own taxes for 15 years and still learn something new every year. The IRS could make this so much clearer with better labeling.

Thanks for this advice. I've been looking at professionals online, but wasn't sure about the CPA vs EA distinction. Do you know if there's a national directory specifically for EAs who specialize in estate tax issues?

The National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) has a directory on their website where you can search by specialty, including estate and trust taxation. Just go to the NAEA website and look for their "Find an EA" feature. I'd also recommend calling a few estate attorneys in the deceased's city - they typically work closely with tax specialists who handle complex estate matters and can make solid recommendations. When you talk to potential EAs, specifically ask about their experience with unfiled returns and IRS collections for deceased taxpayers, as this is a specialized area.

What's the difference between account transcripts and wage/income transcripts? Aren't they the same thing?

I'm in Maryland. And wow, that's exactly what I'm worried about! I do my own taxes with software but I'm not the most organized person. Did you have to provide actual payment records or did they eventually find the payment with the wrong SSN?

They eventually found the payment under the incorrect SSN, but it took about 3 weeks and I had to provide

THIS!!! I almost fell for something similar. The letter had all the right logos and everything. Called the actual department and they confirmed they hadn't sent anything. Scary how good these scams are getting.

That's a good point! I checked and it does seem legitimate - has all the official letterhead and the return address matches what's on their official website. I also logged into my state tax account and there's a notice there too mentioning documentation needed. But thanks for the warning - probably saved someone else from falling for a scam!

That's a great suggestion I hadn't thought of! Did you just call your representative's local office? Was there a specific person or department you asked for? I'm willing to try anything at this point.

Yes, I called my rep's local district office (not their DC office). Just ask to speak with the caseworker who handles IRS issues. Every congressional office has staff dedicated to constituent services. They'll email you a privacy release form that you need to sign and return, which gives them permission to inquire about your case. Make sure you provide them with copies of all the correspondence you've had with the IRS so far, including your notice numbers and any reference numbers. The magic happens because congressional inquiries go to a special unit at the IRS that is much more responsive than regular channels. They have to provide updates to congressional offices, so things suddenly start moving much faster.

I've used the online account system and while it's good for viewing your tax records and making payments, I found the document upload feature to be hit or miss. I uploaded documentation for an issue similar to OP's, and there was no confirmation that anyone had reviewed it or that it was attached to my case. I ended up having to mail in physical copies anyway after calling and finding out the uploaded documents weren't associated with my specific case/notice. The system needs a lot of improvement.

Thanks for sharing your experience. That's disappointing to hear. I was hoping the online system would be more efficient, but sounds like it has the same problems as mailing documents. Did you at least get some kind of upload confirmation when you submitted the documents, or was it completely unclear if they were received at all?

Do they handle Schedule 3 forms with the free version? And is the interface easy to use? I'm not super tax-savvy but I can follow instructions well enough.

Yes, they handle Schedule 3 forms in their free federal version. Their interface isn't quite as slick as TurboTax, but it's definitely user-friendly and walks you through everything step by step. The free version includes virtually all federal forms and schedules - the only things they charge extra for are audit assistance and amended returns. State filing does cost around $15, but that's still way cheaper than what TurboTax charges for their "Deluxe" tier.

I tried Cash App Taxes this year but it kept glitching on me when I tried to enter my student loan interest deduction. Did you have any technical issues with it?